I doubted the Avs a bit Thursday night, and maybe me getting back into a glass-is-half-empty, it’s-always-half-empty mode will be what’s best for the Avalanche. I mean, when I’m positive about anything, does it ever happen? Don’t answer that.

I was about ready to stick the proverbial fork in the Avs Thursday night, a couple of times. The first, when they allowed another late goal to tie a game, this time with 1:16 left. Couldn’t clear the puck, couldn’t make the big play defensively and a game that was 3-2, a game the Avs desperately needed, was now tied.

The second time was when Nathan MacKinnon wiped out a 4-on-3 power-play advantage by interfering with Toronto goalie Jonathan Bernier in overtime. And Toronto almost won it not long after that, but Reto Berra — yes, Reto Berra — came up with another big save to extend the contest to the shootout, where MacKinnon, Matt Duchene and Alex Tanguay all scored.

That was close. Too close. But a win’s a win. It was not a pretty one, but the Avs just have to be happy with scraping by and trying to get a little better every week for the time being.

Defenseman Erik Johnson (back) and center John Mitchell (illness) didn’t participate in the skate but coach Patrick Roy said he is optimistic both will play tonight against the Maple Leafs. Right wing Alex Tanguay again skated hard but isn’t quite ready. P.A. Parenteau is full-go.

Former Avalanche defenseman Kyle Quincey of the Detroit Red Wings and former University of Denver standout forwards Tyler Bozak and Joe Colborne of the Toronto Maple Leafs are among those participating in this week’s DU pro camp at Magness Arena. Others include Drew Shore of the Florida Panthers and his little brother and former DU teammate Nick Shore, who signed with the Los Angeles Kings last spring. A bunch of other former Pioneers currently playing professionally include Denver Cutthroats captain Aaron MacKenzie, a former Avalanche defenseman, and fellow “Fish” Luke Fulghum, Kyle Ostrow of the Colorado Eagles, Brett Skinner of the Calder Cup champion Grand Rapids Griffins, new Cutthroat Matt Glasser, plus Adrian Veideman, Anthony Maiani, Luke Salazar and former CC Tigers Colin Stuart and Curtis McElhinny.

Among the participants in the third DU Alumni Pro Camp is former Colorado College captain Colin Stuart and Tigers goalies Richard Bachman and Curtis McElhinney. Stuart, who has played in the NHL for the Atlanta Thrashers and Buffalo Sabres, is even donning a DU practice jersey. Bachman (Dallas Stars) and McElhinney (Phoenix Coyotes) declined to wear the crimson-and-gold sweater.

Still, it’s surprising that they are participating in anything Pioneers.

“We’re far enough removed from the rivalry,” said Bachman, who grew up in Highlands Ranch and went 8-5-1 with the Stars last season, with a 2.77 goals-against average and .909 save percentage. “There’s a lot of good guys here, good tempo. And everyone is on the same page. Everyone is working out, wanting to get better and prepare for the season.

“And when you look at both schools, the main goal for both programs is to move guys on and get better. So now we’re just working together to make it happen.”

Bachman and McElhinney are replacing former DU goalies Marc Cheverie and Peter Mannino, who manned the nets in the first two years of the camp. Mannino beat McElhinney at the 2005 Frozen Four in Columbus (Mannino was a freshman, McElhinney a senior) and Bachman and Cheverie both joined their programs in 2007.

Bachman said walking into the DU locker room is “a little weird.”

“It’s different, that’s for sure,” he said. “Looking around and seeing all that maroon and gold is a little weird, but it’s not that tough when you’ve got a good group of guys in there. There is a little razzing between guys, talking about the old days. That makes it fun.”

Others participating in the camp include NHLers Kyle Quincey of the Red Wings and Tyler Bozak of the Maple Leafs. The Avalanche’s Paul Stastny is expected to skate Friday, and teammate David Jones participated Tuesday. We will have a story about Quincey, the former Avs defenseman, in Thursday’s paper.

Terry Frei graduated from Wheat Ridge High School in the Denver area and has degrees in history and journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. He worked for the Rocky Mountain News while attending CU and joined the Post staff after graduation. He has also worked at the Oregonian in Portland, Ore., and The Sporting News. His seventh book, March 1939: Before the Madness, was issued in February 2014.

Chambers covers college and professional hockey for The Denver Post. He has written for the Post since 1994, after dumping his first 9-to-5 office job a couple years out of college. He primarily follows the University of Denver hockey team and helps cover the Avalanche.